OKLAHOMA CITY - Starting this July, Oklahoma drivers may have one less headache to worry about. That's after the State Senate approved legislation to end the state's mandatory vehicle inspections. Those inspections cost Oklahomans $5 a year for each vehicle they own.

House Bill 1081, authored by Representative Richard Phillips, R-Warr Acres and Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, carries the amendment that would eliminate the inspections. Senator Coffee said it was time to end the yearly inspection requirement.

Oklahomans may be sweating out one of their last April 15th deadlines on state income taxes if the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate gets his way.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor pointed out that state income taxes, the April 15th deadline and tax audits would be a thing of the past if voters adopt his "Texas Plan" - an initiative that would replace the Oklahoma tax code with the Texas tax system. Texas levies no personal or corporate income tax.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I applaud Governor Keating for officially joining the Texas Plan team. From the beginning, I have advocated that this be a bipartisan effort. By working together on this historic initiative, we have an opportunity to do great things for the state of Oklahoma."

Teachers, farmers, state agencies and other business representatives recently showed their support and asked for the continuation of state funding for the weather monitoring system known as Mesonet at a Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee meeting at the Capitol in Oklahoma City, according to Senator Cal Hobson, D-Lexington. The Mesonet system was recently named one of 114 semi-finalists out of more than 700 entries submitted in the Stockholm Challenge, a worldwide-recognized program for innovative informational technology projects.

A controversial political consultant was awarded more than $1.2 million in state contracts without having to compete for the business, according to state records.

Documents show that Mary Myrick was either awarded the contracts on a "sole source" basis or was the only vendor who bid on the state business. All of the contracts were awarded through agencies overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Jerry Regier.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Although Governor Frank Keating approved emergency funds to help public schools pay for last winters' high heating costs, he line item vetoed funds that would have done the same thing for state residential schools for deaf and blind children.

"Surely this was a mistake on his part. I'd hate to think that the Governor would deliberately veto critically needed funds from these schools in particular," said Senator Ben Robinson, D-Muskogee.

Oklahoma can cash in on the ongoing electricity crisis in California by launching a concerted effort to lure power-starved industries to the Sooner State, according to the leader of the Oklahoma State Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor is asking the State Department of Commerce to target California-based industries with an extensive marketing effort extolling Oklahoma's many attributes, namely its inexpensive and plentiful energy supply.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Long-time education champion Senator Penny Williams is being honored with a lecture series bearing her name.

"The Senator Penny Williams Distinguished Lecture Series" has been established and endowed by friends of Senator Williams. This series will bring internationally known lecturers to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) to interact with its students, faculty and supporters.

Federal Judge Robert Henry, who is also a former Oklahoma Attorney General and legislator, was among those involved in creating the lecture series.

(Oklahoma City) Oklahomans who participate in sporting events or occupations that involve animals should have constitutional protections that ensure that their activities can never be outlawed, according to State Senator Frank Shurden.

The Henryetta legislator successfully amended legislation on the Senate floor Tuesday that would change the state constitution so activities such as hunting, fishing, rodeo and the raising of livestock would be considered an inherent right of state citizens. As amended, HB 1375 would require a vote of the people.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Another original painting depicting a key scene in Oklahoma history has been dedicated at the State Capitol. State Senator Charles Ford, President of the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund said the painting was endowed by native Oklahoman and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr.